You've got a shiny iPad Pro, and you're hearing whispers about this "120Hz" thing. You might have even seen some super smooth animations on other devices and wondered, "Can my iPad Pro do that?" The answer is a resounding yes! Your iPad Pro (most models, anyway) comes equipped with Apple's incredible ProMotion technology, which delivers a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
But what exactly is 120Hz, and how do you make sure your iPad Pro is using it to its full potential? Don't worry, we're going to break it all down in a step-by-step guide. Get ready to experience your iPad Pro like never before!
The Magic of ProMotion: What is 120Hz?
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly understand why 120Hz is such a big deal.
In simple terms, "Hertz" (Hz) refers to how many times per second your screen refreshes the image it displays. A standard display refreshes 60 times per second (60Hz). A 120Hz display, on the other hand, refreshes 120 times per second. This doubles the refresh rate, leading to a significantly smoother and more responsive visual experience.
- Smoother Scrolling: Imagine effortlessly gliding through webpages, social media feeds, or long documents. That's the 120Hz difference.
- Enhanced Gaming: Games that support 120Hz will feel incredibly fluid, with reduced input lag and a more immersive experience.
- More Responsive Apple Pencil: If you use an Apple Pencil for drawing or note-taking, the higher refresh rate translates to virtually imperceptible lag, making it feel more like writing on paper.
- Fluid Animations: Every animation, from opening apps to swiping between home screens, appears incredibly smooth and natural.
Apple's ProMotion technology is even smarter than just a fixed 120Hz. It's an adaptive refresh rate. This means your iPad Pro can dynamically adjust the refresh rate from as low as 10Hz (for static content like reading an e-book, saving battery) all the way up to 120Hz (for fast-moving content like games or scrolling). It's the best of both worlds: incredible smoothness when you need it, and excellent battery efficiency when you don't.
Step 1: Confirm Your iPad Pro Supports ProMotion
Okay, first things first! Are you sure your iPad Pro has this magical 120Hz display? Most iPad Pro models released since 2017 feature ProMotion. If you have an older iPad Pro (the original 12.9-inch from 2015 or the 9.7-inch from 2016), it won't have ProMotion.
How to Check Your iPad Pro Model:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Tap on About.
- Look for "Model Name." If it says anything like "iPad Pro (10.5-inch)," "iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation or later)," or any newer iPad Pro model (like the M1, M2, or M4 chips), then congratulations! Your iPad Pro does have ProMotion.
If you're unsure, a quick Google search for your specific "Model Name" along with "ProMotion" will confirm it.
Step 2: Ensure ProMotion is Enabled in Settings
The good news is that ProMotion is enabled by default on all compatible iPad Pro models. However, there's one specific setting that can override it and limit your refresh rate. We need to make sure this setting is turned off.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Accessibility Settings
- Tap the "Settings" app icon on your Home screen. It looks like a set of gears.
- In the left-hand sidebar, scroll down until you see Accessibility. Tap on it.
Sub-heading: Locating and Disabling "Limit Frame Rate"
- Once inside the Accessibility menu, look for the Motion option. Tap on it.
- You'll see a toggle switch labeled Limit Frame Rate.
- Crucially, make sure this toggle is set to OFF (greyed out). If it's green, it means your iPad Pro is currently limited to 60 frames per second, which will disable the 120Hz refresh rate. Tap it to turn it off.
That's it! By ensuring "Limit Frame Rate" is off, your iPad Pro's ProMotion display is free to operate at its full, adaptive 120Hz potential.
Step 3: Understand Adaptive Refresh Rate and App Support
It's important to remember that while your iPad Pro is capable of 120Hz, it won't always display content at that exact rate. This is due to the adaptive nature of ProMotion, which is designed to optimize both performance and battery life.
Sub-heading: How ProMotion Adapts
- Fast-moving content (scrolling, gaming, fluid animations): The refresh rate will ramp up to 120Hz for maximum smoothness. You'll definitely notice the difference here.
- Static content (reading an e-book, viewing photos, a paused video): The refresh rate will intelligently drop to a lower rate (e.g., 10Hz, 24Hz) to conserve battery. There's no benefit to refreshing a static image 120 times per second.
- Video Playback: ProMotion will match the video's frame rate precisely (e.g., 24Hz for a 24fps movie) to eliminate judder and provide the best viewing experience.
Sub-heading: App and Game Compatibility
While the operating system (iPadOS) will leverage 120Hz for system animations and scrolling, individual apps and games also need to support it. Most modern, well-optimized apps and games will automatically take advantage of ProMotion. However, some older apps or those not updated for ProMotion may still run at a fixed 60Hz.
- If an app feels less smooth than others, it might be that the app itself doesn't fully support 120Hz. There's nothing you can do in your iPad settings to force an app to run at a higher refresh rate if it wasn't designed for it.
Step 4: Check for Other Factors Affecting ProMotion
There are a couple of other scenarios where your iPad Pro's refresh rate might temporarily be limited, even if "Limit Frame Rate" is off.
Sub-heading: Low Power Mode
If you enable Low Power Mode on your iPad Pro, it will automatically limit the screen refresh rate to 60Hz to save battery.
- To re-enable 120Hz, simply turn off Low Power Mode. You can do this by going to Settings > Battery and toggling "Low Power Mode" off, or by accessing it from Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen).
Sub-heading: Device Temperature
In extreme cases, if your iPad Pro becomes very hot, the system might temporarily reduce the display's refresh rate (among other performance adjustments) to prevent overheating and protect internal components. This is a safety feature and will resolve itself once the device cools down.
Step 5: Experiencing the Difference
Now that you've confirmed your settings, it's time to experience 120Hz!
- Scroll through your Home Screens: Swipe quickly between pages. Notice the fluidity.
- Open and close apps: Pay attention to how smoothly apps launch and dismiss.
- Scroll through Safari or social media: The scrolling motion should feel incredibly smooth and responsive.
- Try a 120Hz-compatible game: Many popular games now support 120fps. Look for titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, or Alto's Odyssey. The gameplay should feel incredibly smooth.
- Use your Apple Pencil: If you have one, open an app like Notes or Procreate and just doodle. The responsiveness should be immediate.
Once you've experienced 120Hz, going back to a 60Hz display will feel noticeably choppier. It's a subtle but significant upgrade to the overall user experience!
FAQs: How to Get the Most Out of 120Hz on Your iPad Pro
How to know if my iPad Pro has ProMotion?
- Check your iPad Pro's model name in Settings > General > About. All iPad Pro models from 2017 onwards (10.5-inch, 2nd-gen 12.9-inch, and all subsequent models) feature ProMotion.
How to verify 120Hz is actually working on my iPad Pro?
- While there isn't a direct "120Hz indicator," the most reliable way is to simply feel the difference. Smooth scrolling in iPadOS and supported apps, fluid animations, and responsive Apple Pencil input are strong indicators. Some third-party apps might offer refresh rate displays, but their accuracy can vary.
How to fix 120Hz not working on my iPad Pro?
- First, check Settings > Accessibility > Motion and ensure "Limit Frame Rate" is off. Also, make sure Low Power Mode is disabled (Settings > Battery). If the issue persists, a simple restart of your iPad Pro can often resolve temporary glitches.
How to save battery while using 120Hz ProMotion?
- ProMotion is adaptive, meaning it automatically lowers the refresh rate for static content to save battery. For further battery savings, you can temporarily enable Low Power Mode (which limits the display to 60Hz) or adjust screen brightness.
How to know which apps support 120Hz on iPad Pro?
- Developers typically advertise 120Hz support for their apps, especially games. You can check the app's description on the App Store or search online for " [App Name] 120Hz support." Most well-optimized and graphically intensive apps will take advantage of ProMotion.
How to optimize games for 120Hz on iPad Pro?
- Ensure the game itself has a setting to enable a higher frame rate (often labeled "FPS" or "Frame Rate"). Set graphics quality to a level your iPad Pro can comfortably handle to maintain consistent frame rates. Close other background apps to free up resources.
How to prevent my iPad Pro from overheating when using 120Hz?
- Avoid using your iPad Pro in direct sunlight or hot environments. Remove it from any cases that might trap heat during intensive tasks like gaming. If it feels warm, give it a break to cool down.
How to disable 120Hz ProMotion on iPad Pro permanently?
- To permanently limit your iPad Pro to 60Hz, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and turn ON the "Limit Frame Rate" toggle.
How to make the Apple Pencil even smoother with 120Hz?
- The 120Hz refresh rate inherently makes the Apple Pencil feel incredibly responsive. Ensure "Limit Frame Rate" is off. Also, make sure the app you're using for drawing or writing is optimized for Apple Pencil and ProMotion.
How to troubleshoot if "Limit Frame Rate" is greyed out or unresponsive?
- If the "Limit Frame Rate" toggle is greyed out, it's unlikely to be the case, but a full reset of all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings) can sometimes resolve deeper software issues. As a last resort, contact Apple Support.